WEST POINT – It was a matchup of unbeatens when West Point-Beemer hosted Norfolk Catholic for the C1-5 District football championship on Friday, October 20.
The Knights blocked a WPB punt on the opening possession, setting up first and goal at the 10. Dylan Kautz rushed for his first of three touchdowns, and Norfolk Catholic raced to a 23-0 lead after the first quarter.
West Point-Beemer scored its only touchdown on the first half on a two yard run by Blake Anderson. Norfolk Catholic led 36-7 at the intermission.
The Knights scored on a quick 72-yard run by Kautz to start the third quarter, and would lead 42-7 until Anderson added his second score for the Cadets, this time from 11 yards out with 26 seconds left in the quarter.
In the fourth, Norfolk Catholic scored on a 70 yard run by Peyton Love and Cole Hughes plunged in for a one yard QB sneak for the Cadets. The final score was Norfolk Catholic 49, West Point-Beemer 21.
Unofficially for West Point-Beemer, Hunter Pilakowski carried 15 times for 122 yards and Anderson carried 17 times for 97 yards and two scores.
Hughes was 3-12 passing for 55 yards.
The Cadets had 300 yards of total offense, including 245 on the ground.
West Point-Beemer finishes the regular season at 8-1 and qualifies for the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
Head Coach Troy Schlueter says his squad simply didn't do enough to beat the Knights. "I think we had some good moments, especially offensively, but they took the momentum, and we didn't make a big play to get it back at any point in the game. They are a good team, and played to their strengths very well, which is a credit to them."
The Cadets (8-1) host Columbus Lakeview (7-2) Friday night in the 1st round of the playoffs.
The Vikings defeated Ord 21-20 at home this past Friday night to close out the regular season.
A couple of common opponents between the two teams are Norfolk Catholic and O'Neill.
Lakeview lost 34-7 to the Knights and beat the Eagles 28-17. West Point-Beemer downed O'Neill 41-21.
This should be a good game.
Schlueter says the Cadets are led by their running game. "We do like to run the ball, and have been effective against everybody so far this season in that phase of the game. I think the kids take pride in being a physical football team, and having an effective running game is a part of that mentality."
Pilakowski and Anderson had good games against Norfolk Catholic, and were big reasons why West Point-Beemer had the amount of rushing yards they did.
Schlueter says the team is happy to be in the playoffs. "We're happy as a staff to have another week with these guys, and are looking forward to hosting a quality opponent in Lakeview."
It's great to make the playoffs, but teams always want to do something when they get there, and I feel West Point-Beemer has a chance to do just that.
Schlueter says his squad will need to play their best game of the year to win. "I think to be successful this week we have to hit a new level of play in all phases that we haven't hit previously this year. We are looking forward to the challenge."
Columbus Lakeview probably has a bit of an edge as a program when it comes to playoff experience as they've been there before, but the Cadets are a good team, and are at home so I feel the game being in West Point is an advantage for West Point-Beemer.
The winner gets either Fairbury or Pierce in the Quarterfinals, and I could easily see the Cadets playing the Bluejays next round in a rematch.
I think West Point-Beemer has a shot to get to the Semifinals if they play up to their potential.
The Cadets should dream big, but yet be focused on the Vikings before worrying about any other potential game down the road this season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in West Point.
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